In Pursuit of Excellence
Dartmouth College Recognizes with Deep Appreciation the Extraordinary Achievements of
David Mason Eichman ’82 and Robin L. Shaffert ’82
Class Secretaries of the Year
26 Years Out and Older
Let’s face it, some things are just meant to go together: Burns & Allen, Holmes & Watson, peanut butter & jelly, Eichman & Shaffert! You think Batman & Robin were a dynamic duo? They have nothing on David & Robin, co-class secretaries whose thoughtful and informative Class Notes columns and innovative methods of motivating classmates (and families of classmates) to connect with each other and the College have played a critical role in making the ’82s one of the strongest classes in Dartmouth history.
David Mason Eichman, where to begin? You displayed style and élan from the get-go as one of only a dozen classmates sporting a bow tie in your freshman book photo. Since graduating in 1982, you have served the College admirably and effectively in a broad array of meaningful roles, including—but by no means limited to—alumni interviewer, class agent, newsletter editor, Alumni Council representative, president of the Dartmouth Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Alumni/ae Association, and president of the Class Secretary Association. As noted by the Alumni Council when you were honored as a 2011-12 Alumni Award recipient for all you do “to embrace diversity” and “in recognition of your dedication to your career, community, family, and alma mater,” you have always “strived for something more” than what is expected throughout your life of rich pursuits. Never has this been more evident than in your 10 years (and counting!) of going the extra mile as a class secretary.
Robin Laurette Shaffert, since 1983 you have ably served your class and the College in a number of important volunteer roles, including as class agent for the Dartmouth College Fund and alumni interviewer for admissions. When you teamed up with David in 2012, you made an already formidable class leadership team even stronger by bringing new perspectives and news-gathering skills to the table, along with the key core values of your work with The Arc serving people (and their families) with intellectual and developmental disabilities: diversity, community, equality, and respect. These are the qualities that have made you a standout co-class secretary during the past five years and an invaluable member of the Class of 1982 family.
David and Robin, your exemplary work on behalf of the DAM, love of class, and dedication to Dartmouth are deeply appreciated by everyone you touch in the most personal and sincere manner. Here’s to you two “creative connectors with heart,” as you were recently dubbed by an admiring fellow class officer. In going above and beyond the call of duty as co-secretaries, you have become standard-bearers of excellence in this area of alumni volunteer service.